Dispenser for detergents



Oct. 28, 1958 A. LANE 2,357,940

DISPENSER FOR DETERGENTS Filed Sept. 7, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ARNOLD LANE BY' %%m flwmn *QMQAM paw-o RNEYS A. LANE DISPENSER FOR DETERGENTS Oct. 28, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. '7, 1956 .IWg- B m J M p P I I l d /v l. I l 2 I r I I I I I I I a f T J r m w mTxu if u o NU uwy w m. I {A .J, I 3 1 5: 4 I Mw TAP: I A2,

INVENTOR.

LANE

ARNOLD ATTQRNEYS United States Patent DISPENSER FOR DETERGENTS Arnold Lane, Hannibal, Mo. Application September 7, 1956, Serial No. 608,518 4 Claims. Cl. 141-360) This invention relates to dispensing devices generally, and more particularly has reference to a device adapted for dispensing soap powders or detergents. The common practice, in connection with the use of soap powders or detergents, is to purchase the largest size or economy size box, since it is more economical to purchase de-' tergents and soap powders in larger quantities.

Then, when it is necessary to use some of the detergent, it is necessary to lift the heavy box, and tilt the same, the detergent often being poured directly into the water in which dishes, clothes, etc., are to be washed. It is well known that more likely than not, an excessive quantity of detergent will be released into the water, causing substantial waste. Further, the necessity of lifting and tilting a heavy box is of course undesirable and represents a considerable inconvenience and annoyance to the housewife, who must usually stoop over for the purpose of removing the box from a cupboard and returning the same to its place within the cupboard.

Various other disadvantages have been noted in connection with the dispensing of detergents directly from the boxes in which they are sold, and need not be discussed at length herein. It is believed sufficient to note that a clear desirability exists for a dispensing device, which will permit dispensing of the detergent in a manner to eliminate the inconveniences which have heretofore persisted.

To this end, the dispenser constituting the present invention includes a cabinet which preferably will be of such a size as to permit the contents of an entire'box of detergent, as for example a full economy size box, to be, first, dumped into a hopper or container, so that thereafter, the box in which the detergent was sold may be disposed of immediately, with the detergent being dispensed from the bottom of the container constituting a part of the dispensing device of the invention.

The dispensing device includes a horizontally slidable, pivoted closure plate, spring biased to a position normally closing a dispensing opening provided in the bottom of the container. The closure plate has one end projecting beyond one end of the container, to provide a handle which may be conveniently grasped for the purpose of swinging the closure plate to an open position. Further, the closure plate has depending guides or abutments, adapted to be engaged by a small receptacle, such as a cup into which the detergent is to be dispensed, so that by shifting the receptacle horizontally, the same will engage the abutments and will be operative to shift the closure plate to an open position, the cup under these circumstances being disposed directly in the path of the flowing material, so as to be filled rapidly and elficiently. When the cup has been filled, it is retracted, and under the bias of the associated spring the closure plate instantly returns to a closed position to prevent loss or wastage of any of the material. A plurality of the cups can be hung upon the container, and can be of different sizes, so that the detergent or other material can be dispensed there into.

Further, the container is adapted for support either upon a horizontal surface or alternatively, can be attached to a wall. The container, in addition, has a vertically extending viewing window, so that one may instantly perceive the amount of material remaining within the device.

Among specific objects of importance are the following:

To provide a dispensing device as stated that will be attractive, and will be readily locatable in any desired, convenient location;

To so form the device that it will be adapted to receive a predetermined quantity of the detergent, as for example the amount of detergent that would ordinarily be sold in a large, economy size box; a

To provide a novelly designed closure plate means, adapted to be swiftly adjusted to dispensing or open position either by the hand, or by a cup or similar receptacle engaged against the closure plate;

To provide a dispenser as stated which will be particularly designed to insure to the maximum extent against leakage, wastage, or loss of the material; and

To so form the dispenser that it can be manufactured at low cost, by mass production manufacturing operations, while still being attractive and highly durable.

Other objects will appear from the following description, the claims appended thereto, and from the annexed drawing, in which like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of a dispenser formed according to the present invention, the dotted lines showing a hand inserting a cup into position to receive material dispensed;

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view, on an enlarged scale, of a dispensing device in which the closure plate is shown in full and dotted lines in closed and open positions respectively, in association with a receiving cup shown in different dotted line positions; 7

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the same scale as Figure 2, taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1, portions being broken away;

Figure 4 is a transverse section on line 44 of Figure 3 in which portions have been broken away; and

Figure 5 is a transverse section on line 55 of Figure 4 in which portions have been broken away.

Referring to the drawings in detail, designated generally by the reference numeral 10 is a rectangular container, which may alternatively be termed a hopper. The

container is preferably of rectangular form, and is shaped as to permit a conventional box in which detergent is sold, not shown, to be tilted into position within the upper end of the container so that the full contents of said box may flow into the container to be later dispensed in measured amounts.

In any event, the rectangular container 10, at its lower end, has corner legs 12, which space the bottom wall of the container upwardly from a supporting surface. The upper end of the container body is formed open, and the container includes a peripherally flanged lid 14.

At the back of the container, the flange of the lid 14 is interrupted by a shallow recess, to accommodate a wall hanger bracket 16 having a hinge leaf 18 (see Figure 4) which is formed with an opening adapted to receive the fastening element on the lid, whereby the device may be suspended from a wall surface if desired. If the device is not to be so suspended, the hinge leaf 18 may be swung downwardly as shown in dotted lines in Figure 4 into engagement with the fixed portion of the bracket 16, where it will not be visible to the casual observer.

Adapted to be hung on the front wall of the container are cups of various sizes, constituting receivers for the dispensed material, whereby the material may be readily 22, 24, 26 which are progressively increased in size as shown in Figure 1 and which may be marked to indicate the amount of material which the cups will hold. The handles of the cupsare apertured to receive support hooks 28 that project forwardly from the front wall of the container.

Medially between the opposite sides of the container, the front wall thereof is formed with an elongated slot, the opposite ends of which terminate adjacent the upper and .lower ends of the container body. A window is secured in position with the slot, so that one can view the contents of the container at all times, and can readily determine when the container needs replenishment.

Adjacent the front wall of the container (see Figures 2 and 4) there is formed in the container'bottom a downwardly tapering dispensing opening 32.

Secured fixedly to the underside of the bottom plate in position below the opening 32' is a rectangular plate member 34, having a centeropening 36 registered with the tapered opening 32 as shown in'Figure 4.

Adjacent the plate member 34, a-disc 38 is secured to the underside of the container, and passing through a center opening of the disc is a rivet 40, passing also through an opening formed in one end of a side closure member 42. Closure member 42 is thus pivoted to swing about the axis defined by the rivet 40, between a normal position closing the dispensing opening and shown in full lines in Figure 2, and an open position shown in dotted lines in the same figure of the drawing.

Along one edge, the closure member 42 is beveled as at 44 (seel'Figures 2, 4, and and the purpose of this is to provide what may be appropriately termed a shearing action as the closure plate moves from its open to its closed position, thus to insure to the maximum extent against wastage of the material.

At its outer, free end, the'closure member 42 is tapered as at 46, terminating in a reduced handle extension that projects beyond one end of the container as shown in Figure 1 and is formed with an upwardly projecting ear 48 adapted'to facilitate grasping by a hand, when the closure plate is'to be swung'between-its closed and open positions.

The closure plate is adapted to be guided in a transversely extending guide 50 secured to the underside of the container. Guide '50 as shown in Figure 4 has an elongated slot, limiting'swinging movement of the closure member 42 between its closed and'open-positions. The slot has been designated at 52.

Secured'fixedlyto the underside-'of'the-closure member is apair ofdivergent abutments 54, which are progressivelyreduced-in width toward their lower ends as best shown iii-Figure 3, and which terminate at said'lower-ends in depending, nose-like projections or extensions 55. The abutments 5-4 are adaptedto be'engaged by a selected cup, such as the cup 26 (see Figures 1 and 2). When the cup ise'ngaged'against the divergent'guides or abutments '54,"*itis initially in the position designated A in Figures 2'and 4. Pressure is exerted toward the back of the container, and the cup and the closure'member will move conjointly, so that as the closure member shifts to open position'expo'sing the-dispensing opening, the cup-w ill automatically be positionedzdirectly beneath said "opening: to receive. the dispensed. material.

'It will be noted that thecup guides orabutments 5.4 have cupaengaging'surfaces.thatrare inclined obliquely to thepath dfhorizontal movementrofzthecup. Therefore, when thecup is shifted to the :right in Figure 4, it is carnrningly biased ,downwardly to the position B in this figure-by the inelinedsurfaces. It comes to rest against extensions -55.and further horizontal movementof the cup to.the position-C will-bring thesamedireetlyunder the dispensing opening. Since .the cup .is,.now spaced downwardly from -.the opening, it will fill inoaimanner such as to form a peak at the centerof the cup, said peak in effect closing the dispensing opening so that the cup will not run over. 'In this connection, a straight horizontal pressure on the cup to move it from positions A to C is all that is required. It is withdrawn horizontally in the same manner.

The guides or abutments can be formed from lengths of bar material bent to shape, or alternatively, as shown, can be solid blocks having the specified configuration.

If a small amountof detergent isdesired, and a large cup is used to obtain the material, one need merely press the cup againstxtheabutments sufficiently to expose the dispensing opening. Then, when the desiredamount has been obtained, the cup is withdrawn and the closure-plate will return to its normal position.

Whenever the closure plate is free to swing to its closed position, it does so under bias of a leaf spring. In this connection, a bracket 56 is connected to the underside of the container, and has spaced pins so arranged as .to receive and fixedly engage one end of the leaf spring 58, the other end of which has a'lip 60 which engages against a dependingflange 62 (see Figures 2 and'S) formed along the inner edge of a shallow recess formed in the adjacent longitudinal edge of the closure member 42.

The leaf spring is normally straight, whenthe closure member is in closed position as shown in full lines ,in Figure 2, the leaf spring being oblique to the'lengthof the closure member and engaging thesame adjacent the pivot point thereof with the lip 60 at the inner end of the recess of the closure member. Then, when the closure member is shifted to its open, dottedline position of Figure 2, the leaf spring is placed under tension, being curved longitudinally as shown in dotted lines' in Figure 2. Therefore, when the closure member is released, the leaf spring willreturn to its normal, straight condition to snap the closure member to a position in which, it extends over the dispensing opening.

It will be seen that there is no waste, and further, the desired quantities of material-can be obtained in every instance, as distinguished from the present arrangement, wherein excessive amounts of detergents are usually dispensed into a sink, etc.

Of course, the device can be made of various materials, and if desired the measuring cups and their associated hangers could be omitted. The viewing window 30 provides means for ascertaining the amount of material within the container, and it will be understood that if desired one might mark on the front surface of the box a series of indicia adapted to extend along the length of "the slot 30, to provide ready information as to the "amount of material remaining within the box.

Further, the deviceis adapted to dispense'materialnot only into a cup, but'also into the-palm of the hand. 'In this instance, the left hand may be used to shift the closure member to its open position by grasping of the upwardly projecting handle 48. Then, the right hand, while this is taking place, would be held underth-e dispensing opening, to receive the material in the palm of the right hand.

In both instances, the 'device dispenses a detergent efficiently and with maximum ease without requirement of lifting or tilting of a heavy box. Once the box is initially emptied into the detergent -container,it maybe disposed of immediately and thereafter, all the detergent is dispensed merely by operation of-the closure memberin the manner previously described herein.

It is believed apparent that the invention is not necessarily confined to-the specific use or uses thereof described above, since it may be utilized for any purpose to'which it may be suited. Nor is the invention to be-necessarily limited to the specific construction illustrated and described, since such construction is only intended 'to be illustrative of the principles, it being 'consideredthat the invention comprehends any minor changein construction that maybe permitted within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A dispenser for granular materials comprising a container, having a dispensing opening in its bottom; a closure member pivoted on said bottom to swing in a horizontal plane between opposite extreme positions in one of which it closes and in the other of which it exposes said opening; and a pair of depending abutments on the closure member having corresponding surfaces inclined, obliquely to the plane of swinging movement of the member and engageable by a receptacle to be filled, for camming of the receptacle downwardly from the member on engagement of the receptacle against said surfaces, said abutments having means at the lower ends of the inclined surfaces forming stops limiting the downward movement of the receptacle.

2. A dispenser for granular materials comprising a container, having a dispensing opening in its bottom; a closure member pivoted on said bottom to swing in a horizontal plane between opposite extreme positions in one of which it closes and in the other of which it exposes said opening; and a pair of depending abutments on the closure member having corresponding surfaces inclined, obliquely to the plane of swinging movement of the member and engageable by a receptacle to be filled, for camming of the receptacle downwardly from the member on engagement of the receptacle against said surfaces, said abutments having means at the lower ends of the inclined surfaces forming stops limiting the downward movement of the receptacle, said means comprising noselike projections formed on the abutments and projecting downwardly beyond said inclined surfaces.

3. A dispenser for granular materials comprising a container, having a dispensing opening in its bottom; a closure member pivoted on said bottom to swing in a horizontal plane between opposite extreme positions in one of which it closes and in the other of which it exposes said opening; and a pair of depending abutments on the closure member having corresponding surfaces inclined, obliquely to the plane of swinging movement of the member and engageable by a receptacle to be filled, for camming of the receptacle downwardly from the member on engagement of the receptacle against said surfaces, said abutments having means at the lower ends of the inclined surfaces forming stops limiting the downward movement of the receptacle, said means comprising noselike projections formed on the abutments and projecting downwardly beyond said inclined surfaces, said surfaces at their upper ends terminating at the underside of the closure member for movement of the receptacle into engagement with the cam surfaces, responsive to sliding of the receptacle along the underside of the closure member in one direction.

4. A dispenser for granular materials comprising a container, having a dispensing opening in its bottom; a closure member pivoted on said bottom to swing in a horizontal plane between opposite extreme positions in one of which it closes and in the other of which it exposes said opening; and a pair of depending abutments on the closure member having corresponding surfaces inclined, obliquely to the plane of swinging movement of the member and engageable by a receptacle to be filled, for camming of the receptacle downwardly from the member on engagement of the receptacle against said surfaces, said abutments having means at the lower ends of the inclined surfaces forming stops limiting the downward movement of the receptacle, said means comprising nose-like projections formed on the abutments and projecting downwardly beyond said inclined surfaces, said surfaces at their upper ends terminating at the underside of the closure member for movement of the receptacle into engagement with the cam surfaces, responsive to sliding of the receptacle along the underside of the closure member in one direction, the projections extending downwardly substantially at right angles to said plane of swinging movement, whereby to impart swinging movement to the closure member from said one to said opposite extreme position responsive to sliding of the receptacle along the underside of the closure member in said one direction, movement of the receptacle into engagement with the cam surfaces, biasing of the receptacle by the cam surfaces downwardly from the closure member into engagement with said projections, and further movement of the receptacle in one said direction while engaged by the projections.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 174,746 Tally Mar. 4, 1876 1,635,159 Bergmann July 5, 1927 2,575,920 Kilpatrick et a1 Nov. 20, 1951 

